Steppenwolf Associates to Host UNLOCKED: 1984, Expand Mentorship Program

As Steppenwolf Theatre Company enters its 40th anniversary season, the Steppenwolf Associates -- a group of highly motivated and passionate young professionals -- kick off the fall season with a new event, UNLOCKED: 1984. Featuring a festive cocktail reception, attendees will spend an evening immersed in the dystopian world of George Orwell's 1984 with on-set tours, an artistic conversation with 1984's lead creative team and a performance of Orwell's gripping masterpiece.

The Associates also announce the expansion of their successful Mentorship Program, which offers the unique opportunity for mentors and mentees to grow together through their shared appreciation of theater.

UNLOCKED: 1984 takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2015 beginning at 5:30pm in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre,1650 N. Halsted St. The $75 ticket includes admittance to that evening's 7:30pm performance. This is not a members-only event, all are welcome. Tickets are on sale now and can be reserved through steppenwolf.org/unlocked or contact Development Associate Karyn Todd at ktodd@steppenwolf.org or 312-654-5601. Funds raised support Steppenwolf's education program, Steppenwolf for Young Adults.

Co-chairs for "Unlocked" are Jon Blanc, Julia Luscombe and Shilpa Rupani.

Formerly the Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council, the Steppenwolf Associates welcomed a new name and new brand at the start of 2015/16 season, which was developed in partnership with Ogilvy. In place of the annual Red or White Ball event, the Associates will host several lively events, including "Unlocked," throughout the season that celebrate and connect with the work onstage and off.

"The Steppenwolf Associates is a collective of more than 150 inspiring young professionals who are united through a love of live performance and an appreciation for arts education. We are an important part of the Steppenwolf family and generate crucial support for its educational programming. Each event is a perfect mix of fun and fundraising, meeting new people and making a difference," shared Aimee Graham, Steppenwolf Associates President.

Last year the Steppenwolf Associates implemented a Mentorship Program that paired Associates with a mentee from Steppenwolf's Young Adult Council, Steppenwolf's professional development program for high school students to learn about careers in the arts. This program offers the unique opportunity for mentors and mentees to grow together through their shared appreciation of theater. Now in its second year, the program has expanded to include mentees from Steppenwolf's Professional Leadership Programs as well. Associates who serve as mentors have the opportunity to share career and life advice with their mentees through monthly phone/email check-ins and attending outside events such as plays and museums.

Greg Veza, a member of the Associates, shares his experience as a mentor to Deveon Treadway, who is a senior at Urban Prep Charter Academy and current member of the Young Adult Council:

"When I met Deveon, I wondered what we could possibly have in common. I read his background, he read mine. But in our first meeting my question was answered immediately. He asked me about philosophy, books, plays and poetry. I quickly remembered what it was like to be a curious high schooler with a love for the arts, and wanting to talk to someone who just "got it." Now, we talk about 90s hip hop, street art (sparked from This is Modern Art), politics, philosophy and more. We're currently working on getting him into college. He just needs to escape his world and surround himself in a world that can keep up with him - if that actually exists. His potential is limitless."

The mission of the Steppenwolf Associates is to actively raise awareness and funding for Steppenwolf's nationally recognized arts education program, Steppenwolf for Young Adults. Steppenwolf for Young Adults opens the doors for nearly 17,000 students, teachers and families to experience quality theater every year. Since its inaugural year, the Steppenwolf Associates has raised nearly $1.5 million for Steppenwolf for Young Adults. Throughout the year, they host some of the most unique fundraising events across the city, drawing hundreds of young professionals to support arts education.

The Steppenwolf for Young Adults' production of George Orwell's 1984, adapted by Andrew White and directed by Hallie Gordon, runs October 21 - November 20, 2015. Tickets to public performances are $20 and can be purchased at www.steppenwolf.org or 312.335.1650.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults' unique approach combines play production with educational components to enhance arts education for young audiences, as well as their teachers and families. SYA creates two full-scale professional productions each season specifically for teens. Working closely with the Chicago Public and metropolitan area schools and other community partners, SYA annually ensures access to the theater for more than 16,000 participants from Chicago's diverse communities. The initiative also includes post-show discussions with artists; classroom residencies led by Steppenwolf-trained teaching artists in more than 30 classrooms in 14 public high schools; professional development workshops for educators; and the Young Adult Council, an innovative year-round after-school initiative that uniquely engages high school students in all areas of the theater's operations.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is America's longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three Chicago theater spaces-the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 44 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season, First Look, a new play development series and Visiting Company engagements. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including an Illinois Arts Legend Award and 12 Tony Awards. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Managing Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

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